Cuff marking device



NOV. v1951 v D. L. HUTKIN ET AL 2,574,148

CUFF MARKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1948 INVENTORS D. L. HUTK1N a. LOUIS LETTES 'ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CUFF MARKING DEVICE David L. Hutkin and Louis Lettes, Memphis, Tenn. Application January 23, 1948, Serial'No. 3,884

2 Claims. 1 This invention relates to the art of tailoring, and specifically to the production of mens suits. The invention is particularly directed to an improved device for and method of locating markings on trouser legs for the production of cufis. In the producing of cuffs on trousers it is necessary to have four parallel lines on each of the four sides of the trouser legs, the two inner or inseam, and the two outer or outseam sides, to serve'as guide lines in the folding and sewing of the cuffs of the trousers. The first line when considered from the upper toward the lower portion is at the inseam length and designates the location of the first fold, the second and third lines indicate successive folds, and the fourth line indicates the edge of the hem, and any material beyond this line is cut off from the trouser leg.

Heretofore various procedures have been employed in the proper marking of trousers on which cuffs were to be formed, all of which however have involved the use of a ruler or template to space the lines, an object having a straight edge as a guide for the chalk when chalking the lines, and the repetition of the operation for each of the four series of lines. Considerable skill is required in the proper placing of the lines, and inaccuracies in measurements caused by inexperienced operators resultin uneven spacing and uneven lines, as a consequence of which trousers are frequently found with the cuffs of unequal width, which detracts from the appearance. In order to have trousers of the best appearance with cuffs of even width the tailor must have the cuffs properly marked, otherwise there is a substantial handicap in-the folding and sewing of the cuffs.

Methods used heretofore'sometimes involv two handlings of the trousers, 16 space markings, 16 line chalkings, and as many as 14 handlings of the rulers and 10 handlings f the trouser legs, all of which result in a substantial cost over what is absolutely necessary.

Briefly stated, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful device and method for use in marking cufis on trousers by means of which this operation may be simply, easily, and quickly performed by an unskilled operator with minimum handling of the trousers, and by the use of which absolute accuracy in marking is accomplished, with consequent saving in time and effort, and with the use of rulers or other measuring devices elimi-.

nated.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective illustrating a device in accordance with the presentinvention, and with the parts spaced for reception of trouser legs;

Fig. 2, a perspective showing one leg of a pair of trousers being received within the device;

Fig. 3, a detail of the free ends of the device illustrating how they are clamped together; and

Fig. 4, an elevation of the parts of Fig. 3 in clamped position.

Briefly stated, the device of the present invention is a mechanical device for holding the trouser legs and locating the markings to be used by the tailor in making culls thereon.

The device consists of three relatively thin, flat, stiff, rectangular cards or plates H], H and 12 which comprise the body members of the present invention. Each of the members has a pair of spaced, parallel marking slots [3 and I4 which extend longitudinally substantially the full length of each member but terminate in spaced relation from the end. The slots l3 and I4 provide guides through which the edge or point of a piece of tailors chalk or the like may be inserted for marking fabric and the parallel sides l5 and [6 of each of. the cards likewise provides a guide for use in marking.

Although it is possible to use one of the members singly without the others, the present invention contemplates the pivotal attachment of the three members as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. For this purpose a three leaf hinge I1 is pro- ,vided, a leaf of which is attached to each of the body members. In order that the members may occupy positions substantially in contact with one another to facilitate the use thereof,- the hinge leaves may be countersunk where they are attached to the members. The three members connected by the hinge I! may be operated in book fashion.

For securing together the free ends of the members, latches l8 and I9 are pivotally at- .tached to raised portions 20 and 2| of the outside members. When the members are latched together as shown in Fig. 4, each outside member is latched to the central member, the raised portions of each member registering with the por- .tion of the latch which is positioned between the inner and the outside member in order that the members may be secured together without ap-i preciable spacing therebetween.

It will be apparent that the members are all preferably of the same length and of a width corresponding to requirements or fashions of different localities. It is contemplated that the spacing between slot I3 and edge I5 will be the same as the width of the cuff which it is desired to locate and mark. The distance from slot I3 and I 4 is likewise the same as between slot I3 and edge I5, but the Spacing between slot I4 and edge I6 is ordinarily about one inch, as this represents the hem or part that folds under and inside the trouser leg.

A seam line 22 may be indicated by suitable means on the center member I I for the purpose of assisting the locating and positioning of the device on a trouser leg. The seam line may be spaced an equal distance from the ends of the member or at some other point in accordance with the location of the seam line of the trousers for which it is to be used.

The width of the members may vary with the width of the cuffs to be produced, and the width of the slot opening in eachis sufficient to permit the entrance of the edge or point of a suitable piece of tailors chalk. It has been found that a slot 11 inches in length will accommodate nearly all factory made trousers but longer lengths-may be employed where required. The length of the slot may be substantially longer than it is contemplated is required, in order to accommodate a range of trouser widths, but the slot length and the member containing the slot may not-be of a" length greater than that which permits the member to securely hold the trouser leg with. sufficient rigidity for easy usage.

In manufacturing the device the members M;

II and I2 may be stamped or otherwise formedsuitable material such as sheet metal, wood, or

of various compositions including cardboard and plastic material.

members, integral extensions may be provided for each which may be suitably attached together for securing the parts in hinged fashion. It-is also contemplated that the device may include numbers of members other than three, twoand one having been found to be particularlyMuse-v ful. As each of the members is substantially identical as to its overall dimensions andrthe size and location of the guide slots, it is apparent that accuracy in laying out cuff markings is easily and simply achieved by an unskilled operator.

In the use of the device illustrated, onemethod of operation is as follows: The device is placed in front of the operator, preferably on a flat surface such as a table, or the like, with, the latch end nearest the operator. With thelatches released, the outer and central members I and I I are opened outwardly. A trouser leg with the waist thereof to the operator's left, and having the customary inseam length marking indicated on the inseam, is placed over' the lower member I2, with the inseam marking on the trouser leg approximately coincident with the inseam edge I of the member I2. The central member II is then rotated to a position on the trouser leg after which the inseam length marking and inseam of the trouser are accurately aligned coincidentally with the edge I5 and seam line 22, respectively, of the member II. The latch I9 is then secured to retain the trouser leg in position. The operator may then pass his chalk in contact with the trouser leg in registration with the two slots I3 and I4 and along the two parallel edges Although a separate hinge. member is shown in the drawings, it-is content plated that in the formation of-the individual.-

I5 and I6 of the member I I in order to mark the trouser leg with the four lines.

The other leg of the trouser is then placed over the central member II in substantial alignment with the first leg of the trouser after which the member I0 may be clamped and the four markings for the outseam of this leg are performed.

In order to complete the operation it i necessary to turn over both the trousers and the device, or at least the portion of the trousers to which the device is attached, and mark the uppermost side of the upper leg first, following which the latch that is uppermost then may be released, the upper leg of the trouser folded back, and the inside leg of the lower trouser marked. The engaged latch may then be released. At this point all four sides of the trouser legs have been marked and are ready for further operation by the tailor.

In the event that the length of the slots is insufficient to extendcompletely across the trouser leg, the legs may be marked as before following which the slot markings may be extended by the use of a straight edge if desired.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for use in producing cuffs on trousers comprising a unitary device having multiple plates adapted to receive trouser legs between the same with a single trouser leg between a pair of such plates and a second trouser leg between one plate of the first pair and the third plate, means for securing said plates together at their ends whereby the plates will clamp said trouser legs therebetween, said mean comprising a three-leaf hinge permanently secured to the ends of said plates and a releasable fastening means for fastening said plates together at their opposite ends, said plates having longitudinally dis osed slots through which trousers clamped between the plates are adapted to be marked.

2. A device for use in locating cufi markings markings on the trousers.

DAVID L. HUTKIN. LOUIS LETTES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 840,928 Gamston et al. Jan. 8, 1907 1,560,417 Dreschler Nov. 3, 1925' 1,846,472 Coutt Feb. 23, 1932 1,889,041 Soule Nov. 29, 1932 1,895,754 Finkenwirth Jan. 31, 1933 

